Apparatus for charging camera cells through flash bulb package receptacle

Abstract

A charger for recharging electrochemical cells contained within a camera having a flash bulb package receptacle. A charging cord mechanically and electrically adaptable to the flash bulb package receptacle is utilized to connect the charger to the camera, thereby obviating the necessity of creating a secondary opening in the envelope of the camera to accommodate the charger. Modification of the internal circuitry of the camera shutter timing and flash system permits the charging of the camera cells through the flash bulb package receptacle without interfering with the operation of the camera in its normal mode of operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Charging apparatus for charging an electrochemical cell contained within a camera having a flash apparatus receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a rechargeable cell housed within the camera and connected in circuit with the flash receptacle;   (b) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current;   (c) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash apparatus receptacle; and   (d) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with the rechargeable cells, whereby the rechargeable cell may be recharged in situ via current supplied thereto via the flash apparatus receptacle.   
     
     
       2. A charger as recited in claim 1, wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer. 
     
     
       3. A charger as recited in claim 2, wherein the plug means includes a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash apparatus receptacle compatible plug at the other end. 
     
     
       4. A charger as recited in claim 3, wherein the circuit means comprises a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit. 
     
     
       5. Charging apparatus for charging the electrochemical cells contained within a camera having a flash apparatus receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a rechargeable cell housed within the camera and connected in circuit with the flash receptacle;   (b) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current;   (c) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash apparatus receptacle; and   (d) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with at least one rechargeable cell, whereby the rechargeable cell may be recharged in situ via current supplied thereto via the flash apparatus receptacle.   
     
     
       6. A charger as recited in claim 5, wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer. 
     
     
       7. A charger as recited in claim 6, wherein the plug means includes a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash apparatus receptacle compatible plug at the other end. 
     
     
       8. A charger as recited in claim 7, wherein the circuit means comprises a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit. 
     
     
       9. Charging apparatus for charging an electrochemical cell contained within a camera having a shutter release mechanism button and a flash apparatus receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a rechargeable cell housed within the camera and connected in circuit with the flash receptacle;   (b) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current;   (c) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash apparatus receptacle;   (d) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell, whereby the rechargeable cell may be recharged in situ via current supplied thereto via the flash apparatus receptacle; and   (e) control means for maintaining a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell.   
     
     
       10. A charger as recited in claim 9, wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer. 
     
     
       11. A charger as recited in claim 10, wherein the plug means includes a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash apparatus receptacle compatible plug at the other end. 
     
     
       12. A charger as recited in claim 11, wherein the circuit means comprises a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit. 
     
     
       13. Charging apparatus for charging an electrochemcial cell contained within a camera having a shutter release mechanism button and a flash bulb package receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current and a transformer;   (b) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash bulb package receptacle and including a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash bulb package receptacle compatible plug at the other end;   (c) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell and comprising a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit; and   (d) control means for maintaining a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell and comprising a switch operable by depression of the camera shutter release mechanism button and mechanical interlock means for maintaining said button in a depressed condition for charging the cell.   
     
     
       14. Charging apparatus for charging the electrochemical cells contained within a camera having a shutter release mechanism button and a flash apparatus receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a rechargeable cell housed within the camera and connected in circuit with the flash receptacle;   (b) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current;   (c) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash apparatus receptacles;   (d) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with at least one rechargeable cell, whereby the rechargeable cell may be recharged in situ via current applied thereto via the flash apparatus receptacle; and   (e) control means for maintaining a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell.   
     
     
       15. A charger as recited in claim 14, wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer. 
     
     
       16. A charger as recited in claim 15, wherein the plug means includes a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash apparatus receptacle compatible plug at the other end. 
     
     
       17. A charger as recited in claim 16, wherein the circuit means comprises a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit. 
     
     
       18. Charging apparatus for charging the electrochemical cells contained within a camera having a shutter release mechanism button and a flash bulb package receptacle comprising, in combination: (a) a charging circuit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and including a source of charging current and a transformer;   (b) plug means connected to the charging circuit terminals and adapted to be mechanically and electrically received by the flash bulb package receptacle and including a flexible charging cord connected to the transformer at one end and having a flash bulb package receptacle compatible plug at the other end;   (c) circuit means for providing a charging path in series with at least one rechargeable cell and comprising a diode electrically connected in series between the negative terminal of the rechargeable cell and the negative terminal of the charging circuit; and   (d) control means for maintaining a charging path in series with the rechargeable cell and comprising a switch operable by depression of the camera shutter release mechanism button and mechanical interlock means for maintaining said button in a depressed condition for charging the cells.